snyder



July 29. 1924. 1,502,755

J. R. SNYDER REBOUND CONTROLLER Filed April 3, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheot l 3 L106??? J.% W

UY/KZ July 29 1924.

1,502,755 J. R. SNYDER REBQUND CONTROLLER Filed April 5; 1922 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Ewen 01$ z g K Patented July 29, 1924.-

UNITED STATES 1502;755 PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB R. SNYDER, F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE STAR REBOUND CON- TROLLER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

REBOUND CONTROLLER.

Application filed April 3, 1922.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JAooB R. SNYDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Rebound Controllers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in rebound controllers or so-called snubbers adapted to be connected between relatively movable bodies, and particularly between the body and axle or running gear of a motor vehicle to check rebound movements of the body following the sudden compression of the main springs of the vehicle.

In Patent No. 1,325,121, dated December 16, 1919, and granted to F. H. Snyder, there is shown a snubber or rebound controller of the general type herein disclosed and on which the present invention is an improvement. Briefly described, the snubber shown in such patent comprises a frictionally resisted rotatable drum on which there is coiled a flexible member such as a band adapted t be connected to one of the two bodies between which it is desired to prevent excessive movement. The inner end of the flexible member is connected to a spiral spring positioned alongside the drum and adapted to exert a constant pull upon the flexible member. The arrangement is such that when the vehicle body and axle approach each other the flexible member is slackened and is slid circumferentially on the drum by the spring, the drum then standing stationary, but during the rebound movement the pull on the outer end of the flexible member coupled. with the force constantly exerted on the inner end by the spring causes the latter to grip the drum and rotate it against the friction imposed by the friction mei oer which engages the side of the drum. in other words, during the compression movement of the main springs the spring takes up the slack in the fiexible member which then is wound up on and slides freely on the drum without ro tating it, whereas during the rebound move ment the drum is rotated as the flexible member is pulled out of the casing of the snubber and partially uncoiled or unwound from the drum.

Serial No. 548,923.

The object of the present invention is to provide certain improvements on the snubber or rebound controller of the patent referred to, which improvements provide a more desirable snubbing or rebound controlling effect, a smoother action, and in addition durability by providing a. construction, no part or element of which is liable to become broken or unduly worn over a long period of use.

The invention may be briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel details of construction, and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be described in the specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, Fig. 1 is a sectional view through the rebound controller provided with a fitting by which it may be secured to the chassis frame of a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken at right angles to the section of F ig. 1, the section being taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a detail View showing one of the friction plates or thrust bearing for the drum, and the spring collar on the inner end of which the plate is non-rotatably mounted, and which in turn is non-rotatably mounted on the center bolt of the controller; Fig. 4 is a view looking toward the left of Fig. 3, showing the inner face of the plate; Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a bridge for a portion of the first complete or inner convolution of the spring; Fig. 6 is a side View of the controller look-- ing toward the right of Fig. l, the same being shown on a reduced scale; Fig. '7 is a View looking toward the face of the drum with the spring, spring collar and thrust plate removed; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the inner part of the flexible member with its flanged metal strips attached, and showing the swiveled hook to which the outer end of the saring is adapted to be connected; Fig. 9 is a view showing in elevation the outer star shaped spring which when placed under tension causes the drum to be held in frictional engagement with the friction plates which it engages.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 represents a fixed center stud carrying a fitting or fixture 11 by which the rebound controller is designed to be secured to the chassis frame of the vehicle. Rotatably supported on the central round part of this stud is an oil impregnated drum 12 enclosed Within a stationary annular casing composed of twotelescoping parts 13-and 14:. Non-rotatably supported on opposite sides of the drum 12 are two friction plates 15 and 16, the former being stationary and the latter being adjustable in the manner hereinafter explained and capable of slight axial movement.

It is to be noted that the friction plate 15 is conical and is concaved inwardly and that the adjacent face of the drum is undercut and provided with a conical surface which bears directly against the friction plate 15. Likewise it'wil'l be noted that both the friction plate 15 and the central part of the casing member 13 which is bowed inwardly in conformity with the concave surface of the friction plate are clamped against a shoulder 10 of the center bolt by a nut 17 which is screwed on to the center bolt and lies inside the concavity of the casing member 13. The fitting 11 by which the rebound controller is designed to be secured to the chassis by a belt or equivalent means, is slipped onto the center bolt beyond the threaded-part receiving the nut 17, and is held in place by a nut 18 engaging the threaded end of the center bolt. ting has a tongue 11 extending beneath thenut 17 to hold the rebound controller from turning movement relative to the fitting. The'fitting 11 is in this instance designed for attaching the rebound controller to the inner side of the chassis frame, the outer part of the fitting being designed to be slipped into the channel of the chassis frame, but the fitting could be otherwise shaped, and if desired, both the clamping nut/17 and the fitting may be formed in one piece. lVith the construction so far described there is obtained a feature of compactness and ability to bring the casing close up to the chassis frame.

Fitted onto the opposite end of the center bolt 10, i. e., on the end opposite to that which supports the fitting 11 is a spring collar 19 which may move axially of the bolt, but is held from rotation thereon. In this instance the spring collar 19 has a pair of milled surfaces 19 which fit over corresponding flat faces 10 of the center bolt (see Fig. 7). The inner end of the spring collar 19 supports the friction or thrust plate 16 which engages the face of the drum opposite to that which is engaged by the friction plate 15, and the plate 16 has a non-circular opening fitted onto a reduced inner end 19 of the collar 19 in the man ner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The outer In this instance the fit end of the spring collar is also reduced, as shown in 19, and non-rotatably supports a so'called spring plate 20, which is spaced from the plate 16 and lies on the inner side and against the end of the casing member 14:. 1

At the side of the drum and between the plates 16 and 20 is a stiff coil spring 21, preferably formed from a flat bar. This spring encircles the spring collar 19 and its inner end is locked thereto by being bent inwardly and received in a transverse external slot 19 of the collar, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noted that both the plates 16 and 20 are provided with laterally extending annular flange-like ribs 16 and 20 which are located adjacent the inner central holes of the plates for'centralizing the spring 21 between the plates 16 and 20 and through which the spring collar extends so that thrust may be transmitted axially to the thrust plate 16 from 7 an external spring to be referred to, to cause the drum 12 to be held with a variable degree of frictional resistance between the plates 15 and 16, as will be explained presently.

While referring to the manner of mounting and attaching the inner end of the spring 21 to the spring collar, it may be well to mention at this point an important feature consisting in the provision of a bridge piece 22, a detail of which is shown in Fig. 5. This bridge piece has a nose 22 which extends down into the external slot 19 of the spring collar, and it has a tapered or spiral body portion 22 which lies on the round surface of the spring collar beneath the first complete convolution of the spring. This bridge piece is designed to be engaged by the inner convolution of the spring when. the spring is wound up tight, as for example, near the end of the rebound movement of the vehicle body, and the purpose is to form a support for this convolution of the spring opposite to and adjacent the external slot 19 of the spring collar into which the inner end of the spring extends as shown and described. l/Vithout this bridging support for the first complete convolution of the spring where it passes over the slot 19, and past the inturned inner end of the spring, said inner convolution would have a tendency to flatten out and be abnormally bent each time the spring is wound up. This I have found results in crystallization and causes early breakage of the spring, but by the use of the bridge piece 22 which serves to support the inner convolution of the spring in true spiral form when the spring is wound up, this objection is entirely avoided. It might be stated at this point that while the bridge piece is in this instance formed septill arate from the spring collar, I contemplate obtaining the same effect by forming it integral with the spring collar by die casting or otherwise so that it is not essential that the collar and bridge piece consist of separate pieces.

Surrounding the drum and wrapped spirally about the same one or more times, is a flexible member, preferably in the form of a belt 23, whose inner end is connected in manner to be explained, to the outer end of the spiral spring 21, and whose outer end is designed to be connected in any suitable manner to the axle or other appropriate part of the running gear of the vehicle, such, for example, as in the manner shown in the Snyder patent already referred to. This belt and the connection between the belt and spring embody several important features of the present invention, and it might be mentioned at this point that the construction, and especially the proportioning of the strength of the spring 21 and frictional resistance imposed by the plates 15 and 16 on the drum are such that though the belt or strap is not attached to the drum, and though at times it may be capable of a slight slipping movement on the drum, it is a feature of the present construction that the drum is rotated both during the com.- pression and rebound movements of the main springs of the vehicle. That is to say, the drum turns both when the spring winds the belt onto the drum during the downward movement of the vehicle body aswell as when the belt is pulled out during the re bound movement.

Referring again to the belt, by reference to Figs. 2 and 8 it will be observed that the inner portion of the belt, i. e., the inner en d of the belt and a portion thereof extending part way around the drum is provided with two flanged metal strips 24 and 25, the former being on the inner side of the beltand having inturned flanges which lap over opposite edges of the drum so as to keep the belt centrally on the drum, and the other strip being on the outer side of the belt and serving as a guide for the second turn of the belt on the drum. The outer strip extends circumferentially a greater distance than the innerstrip, and both are preferably formed of stiff material and are riveted to each other and to the band by rivets 26, both strips being curved to con form to the curvature of the drum, and at all times retaining that curvature for the reason that the belt is never unwound from the drum sufticiently to flex or bend the longer strip 25. In fact, at no time is there any flexing of these strips except possibly a very slight one due to the changing of the tension in the belt.

hough I have contemplated forming the two guide strips 24 and 25 from one conchorage for a swivel hook 29 to outer end of the spring is connected. .5 hook has a portion lying in the socket, and a portion at right angles thereto, and located (see particularly at the side of the drum and provided at its free end with a hooked portion which is received in an opening in the end of the spring The attaching hook 29 having a connection in the socket of the belt allows the part which is attached to the end of the spring to swing in a plane parallel to the drum or at right angles to its axis so to accommodate itself to the natural position of the end of the spring as it is wound and unwound, the hooked end swinging inwardly when the spring is wound up, and moving outwardly when the spring is unwound. This very important feature has the double advantage of avoiding abnormal bending stresses, and therefore crystallization in the outer part of the spring where it is attached. to the belt, and also avoids twisting or lat-- eral cocking of the spring as a whole, as would result should the spring and inner end of the belt be connected by a rigid vice. In other words, the life of the spi g is prolonged by this expedient, and there is 10 tendency for the spring to be twisted out of a position parallel to the plane of the drum.

One other feature of importance yet remains to be explained, and that is the provision for vieldingly clamping and imposing adjustable frictional resistance between the rotary drum 12 and the non rotating friction plates 15 and 16. In this instance the adjustable frictional pressure is accomplished by means of a bowed star shaped spring 30 located exteriorly of the casing member 14 and having a central part which is fitted on a screw 31 screwed into a threaded opening in that end of the center bolt 10 which supports the spring collar 19. Likewise, this spring has outstanding fingers 30" which engage the end of the "sine member 14* ()bviously when screw 31 is tightened so as to impose tension in the star spring 30. the pressure of the spring is transmitted. from the casing member 1.. through the spring plate 20, spring collar 19, to the friction or thrust plate 16, and from the latter to the drum 12 and friction plate 15. It is obvious also that the pressure of the plates 15 and 16 on the drum,

llU

d the frictional resistance to the latt s movement can be varied by adjusting the position of the screw 31.

Inorder that the spring 30 may not turn when the screw 31 is adjusted, the casing member 14 is preferably provided with a pair of outstanding bosses 1g? which receive between them the end of one of the arms or fingers 30 of the spring 30. I preferably provide also, an indicator 32 which turns with thescrew so as to indicate by its position relative. to the fingers of the spring 30 or casing member 14, the compression of the spring 30, and therefore the frictional resistance to movement of the drum imposed by the friction plates and 16. In order that the indicator may turn with the screw 31, the indicator is provided where the shank of the screw passes through it, with a depression 31 which corresponds to the shape of the head of the screw 31, and in which the latter extends, and preferably the spring plate is provided with a series of depressions 3O shown in Fig. '9, in which a slight boss or depression indicated at 31 on the inner face of the indicator is adapted to snap as the screw and indicator are turned. These depressions of the spring definitely locate or center the indicator each time the latter is turned with the screw through a fraction of a revolution, in this instance, one-fifth of a revolution, and they provide means for automatically locking the screw in any one of the five positions. and thus afford simple means for positively holding the star spring 30 under any desired degree of compression without the use of castellated nuts and cotter pins.

After the parts of the rebound controller have been assembled and the star spring 30 properly set up under compression, there is preferably approximately three coils of the belt or band upon the drum, the spiral spring 21 then being under no tension. 'lo properly connect the device to the running gear of the vehicle, the belt is pulled out of the controller housing until the spring 21 is wound up solid. This in practice will leave about one complete coil of the belt upon the drum. Then the belt is allowed to recede, that is to say, the spring is al lowed to expand and to wind the belt. onto the drum to an extent equal to the maximum rebound action of the motor car spring above neutral. Then with the belt and spring in the position or condition stated, the outer end of the belt is secured to the axle of the motor vehicle. Consequently when the vehicle is in motion and its springs are compressed due to road shocks, the controller belt will be instantly drawn in around the periphery of the drum, and when the car body rebounds the resistance to such movement is equal to the resistance imposed by the spiral spring 21, and by" the friction exerted on the drum 12 by the friction plates 15 and 16.

Preferably, irrespective of the adjustment which may be given to the star spring 30, the tension of the spring 21 exceeds the frictional resistance to movement imposed by the friction plates 15 and 16 on the drum 12, so that the spring will constantly exert a pull on the belt 23 and will not permit sufficient slack to be created in the belt, even at the start of the rebound movement to destroy its snub-hing action upon the periphery of the drum 12, the result being that though there is at all times exerted on the drum a frictional resistance to movement, with the present improved rebound controller the drum is turned as before stated under the action of the spring and the belt to turn the drum during both the compression and rebound strokes of the spring. Under these conditions the rebound controller is always acting to check the rebound stroke of the spring, and there is a very smooth checking or snubbing action inasmuch as the spring does not admit of any slacking of the belt which on the other hand is always kept taut even at the start of the rebound movement.

However, if for any reason the tension of the spring becomes less than the fric tional resistance to the movement of the drum imposed by the friction plate, the only effect will be that the drum will stand sta tionary at least for a portion of the compression movement of the spring, the slack in the belt being taken up by the spring then sliding the belt circumferentially on the drum and Winding it thereon.

It will be observed that as regards the Snyder patentpreviously referred to, I pro vide a new relative arrangement of the parts in the respect that the fitting by which the controller is secured to the chassis is closer to the drum, and in the respect that the coil spring which acts on the drum is located on the opposite sides of the drum from the fitting, or between the drum and the spring which creates the pressure between the drum and the friction plates. This new arrangement of parts is important in the Way of providing increased efliciency and improved action of the controller. The other important new features including the bridge for the inner convolution of the spring, the swivel hook by which the outer end of the spring is connected to the inner end of the bolt so that the outer end of the spring may move in or out in a radial direction, also the flanged guide strips of the belt, and other details of construction have been sufliciently described in the body of the specification that they need not be here further referred to and their advantages enlarged upon.

While I have shown the preferred construction, I do not desire to be confined to 1 t ll the precise details shown, but aim in my claims to cover all modifications which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A. rebound controller for relatively movable bodies, said controller adapted to be supported on one of the latter and comprising a drum rotatable in opposite directions, a belt wound on the drum and adapted to be connected to tie other body and serving to rotate the drum in one direction and to unwind from the drum as the bodies recede from each other, a spring associated with the drum and serving to rotate the drum in the opposite direction and to cause the belt to be wound onto the drum when the bodies approach each other, and friction means engaging the drum and imposing a predetermined uniform frictional resistance to rotation of the drum in both directions.

2. A rebound controller for relatively movable bodies, said controller adapted to be supported on one of the latter and comprising a drum rotatable in opposite directions, a belt wound on the drum and adapted to be connected to the other body and serving to rotate the drum in one direction and to unwind from the drum as the bodies recede from each other, a spring serving to rotate the drum in the opposite direction and to cause the belt to be wound onto the drum when the bodies approach each other, friction means engaging the drum and imposing a predetermined uniform frictional resistance to rotation of the drum in both directions, and means whereby the pressure and therefore the degree of friction between the drum and said friction means may be varied.

3. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a bolt or stud adapted to be supported on the body of the vehicle, a drum rotatably supported by said bolt, a flexible member adapted to be connected to the axle of the vehicle and extending about the periphery of said drum, a spring surrounding said bolt having its inner end fixed and its outer end connected to the inner end of said flexible member, means for imposing frictional resistance to the movement of the drum in both directions, the strength of the spring being such as to keep the flexible member tightly wrapped on the drum as the drum is rotated so as to wind the flexible member onto the drum when the body approaches the axle of the vehicle and is rotated also in the opposite direction during the rebound movement of the body.

4. In a rebound controller, a supporting bolt or stud, a drum rotatably mounted thereon, a fixed friction plate atone side of the drum and engaged by the latter, a spring surrounding the bolt and located with respect to said plate toward the opposite side of the drum and serving to rotate the drum in one direction, a flexible member extending about the drum and serving to rotate the drum in the opposite direction, and means located on the said opposite side of the drum for yieldingly pressing the drum against said friction plate.

In a rebound controller, a supporting bolt or stud, a drum rotatably mounted thereon, a fixed friction plate at one side of the drum and engaged by the latter, a spring surrounding the bolt and located with respect to said friction plate toward the opposite side of the drum, a flexible member extending about the drum, a friction producing spring located beyond the opposite side of the drum, and means where by the pressure of said friction producing spring is transn'iitted to the drum so as to press it against the friction plate.

6. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a stationary stud, means at one end of the stud for securing the same to a vehicle body, a stationary frictionv plate supported adjacent said means, a drum rotatably supported on said stud with one side in contact with the plate, a spring surrounding the stud for rotating the drum in one direction and located with respect to said friction plate toward the opposite side of the drum, a casing enclosing the drum and spring, a belt wound on the drum for rotating the drum in the opposite direction, and means on the outer side of the casing for pressing the drum yieldingly against said plate.

7. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a stationary stud, means at one end of the stud for securing the same to a vehicle body, a stationary friction plate supported adja cent said means, a drum rotatably supported on said stud with one side in contact with the plate, a spring surrounding the stud and located with respect to said plate toward the opposite side of the drum. a casing enclosing the drum and spring, a belt wound on the drum, a bowed spring located exteriorly of the casing and engaging one side thereof, and. means whereby the pressure of said last mentioned spring is transmitted to the drum so as to press the drum yieldingly against said friction plate.

8. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a casing having a supporting stud extending centrally therethrough, a drum rotatably supported in the casing, a friction plate supported by the stud so as to engage one side of the drum, a flexible member wound on the drum and adapted to be connected to the axle of the vehicle, a spring in the casing for winding the flexible member on the drum during the compression stroke of the main spring of the vehicleand for yieldingly opposing the unwinding thereof, a

spring member on the exterior of the inggcentrally of the stud for causing the drum to'be pressed yieldingly against the friction plate; means for adjusting the compression of said last mentioned spring, and an'indicator associated therewith.

9. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a casing having a supporting stud extending centrally therethrough, a drum rotatably supported in the casing, a friction plate supported by the stud so as to engage one side of the drum, a flexible member wound on the drum and adapted to be connected to the axle of the vehicle, a spring in the casing" for winding the flexible member on the drum during the compression stroke oi the'main spring of the vehicle and for yieldingly opposing the unwinding thereot. a spring member on the exterior of the cas ing centrally ot' the stud for causing the drum to be pressed yieldingly against the friction plate, a screw extending centrally through the said last mentioned spring for varying the compression thereof, and an outwardly extending indicator associated with said screw so as to turn. therewith.

10. In a rebound controller, a fixed stud or bolt, a drum rotatably supported thereon, a fixed friction plate supported by the stud and engaged by one side oi the drum, a pair of plates on the opposite side oi the drum and non-rotatably supported by the stud. a spiral spring between said last mentioned plates, a flexible member wrapped about the drum and adapted to be connected to the axle and having its: inner end connected to the outer end of said spring, said last mentioned pair of plates being axially movable of the: stud, a housing through which the stud extends and enclosing the drum. spring and said plates, and means exteriorly of the casing for creating axial pressure which is transmitted to said drum through said pair of plates and the spring between them.

11. In. a rebound controller for vehicles. a controller body adapted to be su 'iported on one part of the vehicle and including a drum, a flexible member adapted to be connected to the other part of the vehicle and wound on the drum, a spiral spring for winding the flexible member on the drum when the body moves in one direction and for yieldingly opposing movement of the body in. the opposite direction, a stationary member to which the inner end of the spring is connected, and having a filler which at one end is equal substantially to the thickness of the spring for supporting the inner convolution of the spring adjacent the pointwhere the inner end is connected thereto;

12. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a controller body adapted to be supported on one part of the vehicle and including a drum, a flexible member adapted to be connected to the other part of the vehicle and wound on the drum, a spiral spring for winding the flexible member on the drum when the body moves in one direction, and for yieldingly opposing movement of the body: in the opposite direction, a. stationary member about which the spring is coiled and having an opening in which the inner end of the spring extends, and means carried by said member constituting a filler having at one end a thickness equal substantially to the thickness of the spring to prevent flattening of the spring adjacent the connection of the spring with said menjiber.

13. In a rebound controller, a rotatably supported drum, a flexible member wound spirally on the drum, a spiral spring at the side of the drum, and means connecting the outer end of the spring to the end of the flexible member so that said end of the spring may move inwardly and outwardly radially when the spring is wound up and un wo u n d.

14:. In a rebound controller, a rotatably supported drum, a flexible member. wound spirally on the drum, a spring at the side of the drum, and a swiveled member projecting laterally from the side of the drum and having an oflset portion connected with the outer end of the spring.

15. In a rebound controller, a rotatably supported drum, a flexible member wound spirally on the drum, a spring at the side of the drum, a hook rotatably connected to the end of the flexible member and having a portion located at the side of the drum and connected to the outer end of the spring and capable of swinging to accommodate the varying size of the spring as it is wound up and. unwound.

Hi. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a rotatable drum, a belt wrapped spirally on the drum and adapted to have its outer end connected to one part of the vehicle, a spring for causing the belt to be wound on the drum during the compression movement of the main spring of the vehicle and yieldingly opposing unwinding of the flexible member from the drum during the rebound movement, and means carried by the belt for guiding the belt upon the drum.

17. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a rotatable drum, a belt wrapped spirally on the drum and adapted to have its outer end connected to one part of the vehicle, a spring for causing the belt to be wound on the drum during the compression movement of the main spring of the vehicle and yieldingly opposing unwinding of the flexible member from the drum during the rebound movement, and a flanged. member carried by the" belt for guiding the belt upon the periphery of the drum.

18. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a rotatable drum, a belt wrapped spirally on the drum and adapted to have its outer end connected to one part of the vehicle, a spring for causing the belt to be wound on the drum during the compression movement of the main spring of the vehicle and yieldingly opposing unwinding of the flexible member from the drum during the rebound movement, and means carried by the inner portion of the belt for guiding one coil of the belt upon an inner coil or part thereof 19. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a rotatable drum, a belt wrapped spirally on the drum and adapted to have its outer end connected to one part of the vehicle, a spring for causing the belt to be wound on the drum during the compression movement of the main spring of the vehicle and yieldingly opposing unwinding of the flexible member from the drum during the rebound movement, and a flanged member carried by the belt for receiving and guiding a portion of the belt exteriorly of the flanged member.

20. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a rotatable drum, a belt wrapped spirally on the drum and adapted to have its outer end connected to one part of the vehicle, a spring for causing the belt to be wound on the drum during the compression movement of the main spring of the vehicle and yieldingly opposing unwinding of the flexible member from the drum during the rebound movement, and flanged members carried by the belt, one for engaging the drum and the other for engaging a portion of the belt exterior-1y thereof.

21. In a rebound controller for vehicles, a central stationary support, a frictionally resisted drum rotatably mounted on the support, a belt wrapped spirally on the drum and havingits inner portion faced on both sides with metal having marginal flange, and a coil spring surrounding said support and having its inner end attached thereto and its outer end connected to the inner end of said belt.

22. In a rebound controller. a drum supported for rotation in opposite (llI'lClZiOIlS, a belt wound on the drum and serving to rotate the drum in one direction when. a predetermined pull is exerted thereon, a spring adjacent the drum adapted to ro tate the drum in the opposite direction so as to wind the belt thereon, and friction means engaging opposite sides of the drum and exerting a predetermin d frictional resistance to rotation of the drum in both directions.

23. In a rebound controller. a drum supported for rotation in opposite directions, a belt wound on the drum and serving to rotate the drum in one direction when a predetermined pull is exerted thereon a spring adjacent the drum and adapted to rotate the drum in the opposite direction so as to Wind the belt thereon, friction means engaging opposite sides of the drum and ex erting a predetermined frictional resistance to rotation of the drum in both directions, and means for varying the frictional re sistance imposed by said members on the drum.

24 In a rebound controller for vehicles, a drum, a belt adapted to be wound thereon and unwound therefrom, a spring for retating the drum in one direction, supporting means for the inner end of the spring, said supporting means having portions of different radii adapted to be engaged by the spirally dispos d innermost convolution of th spring and forming a filler which adjacent the end of the spring is equal sub stantially to the thickness of the latter.

25. In a rebound controller, a drum, a belt adapted to be wound onto and unwound from the drum, a spring arranged coaxial with the drum, and a supporting member to which the inner end of the spring is connected, said supporting member having a part of increased radius and constituting a filler having a thickness at one end equal substantially to the thickness of the spring adapted to be engaged by a part of the innermost convolution of the spring adjacent the point of attachment between the spring and the supporting member.

26. In a rebound controller, a drum sup ported for rotation in opposite directions, a belt wound on the drum and serving to rotate the drum in one direction when a predetermined pull is exerted thereon, a spring serving to rotate the drum in the opposite direction so as to wind the belt thereon, and a pair of friction disks arranged substantially coaxially of the drum on opposite sides thereof, and exerting a predetermined frictional resistance to rotation of the drum in. both directions.

27. In a rebound controller, a drum supported for rotation in opposite directions, a belt Wound on the drum and serving to rotate the drum in one direction when a predetermined pull is exerted thereon, a spring serving to rotate the drum in the opposite direction so as to wind the belt thereon, a pair of friction disks arranged substantially coaxially of the drum on opposite sides thereof, and exerting a predetermined frictional resistance to rotation of the drum in both directions, a casing enclosing the drum, and means adjustable from the ex terior of the casing for varying the pressure of both disks on the drum.

28. In a rebound. controller, a drum supported for rotation in opposite directions, a belt wound on the drum and serving to rotate the drum in one direction when a predetermined pull is exerted thereon, a spring serving to rotate the drum in the opposite direction so as to wind the belt thereon, and two friction disks engaging substantially equal annular portions on opposite sides of the drum and exerting a predetermined frictional resistance to the rotation of the drum in both directions.

29. In a rebound controller, a stationary supporting stud, an annular casing through which the stud extends and including a fixed part and a second part axially adjustable on the stud and telescopally arranged with respect to the fixed part, a rotary drum arranged on the stud in the casing, two stationary friction disks engaging opposite sides of the casing, one

vbearing against the inner side of the fixed part of the casing and against one side of the drum, and the other bearing against the opposite side of the drum, a belt wound on the drum and adapted to rotate the latter in one direction against the frictional resistance imposed by the two disks, a spring adapted to rotate the drum in the opposite direction so as to wind the belt thereon, and an adjustable spring supported by the stud exteriorly of the casing and bearing against the adjustable part of the casing and serving to press the second-mentioned disk against the drum and to press the latter against the first-mentioned disk so as to create a predetermined frictional resistance to movement of the drum in both directions.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature. v

JACOB R. SNYDER. 

